grasp 1 of 2

grasp

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to understand
to have a practical understanding of he just doesn't grasp how important it is that he call when he'll be late

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How is the word grasp different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of grasp are clutch, grab, seize, snatch, and take. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

When might clutch be a better fit than grasp?

The synonyms clutch and grasp are sometimes interchangeable, but clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

How are the words grab and snatch related as synonyms of grasp?

Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

When is it sensible to use seize instead of grasp?

While in some cases nearly identical to grasp, seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How do snatch and seize relate to one another, in the sense of grasp?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

When could take be used to replace grasp?

While the synonyms take and grasp are close in meaning, take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grasp
Noun
Back in 2023, Skrillex resurfaced unexpectedly with two new albums at once—Quest for Fire and Don’t Get Too Close—to showcase how his rattling bass juggernauts had evolved and his newfound grasp on dizzy emo-rap had tightened. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2025 This museum returns with an exceptional grasp on how reality and romance form memories, and how memories become self-mythologies that shape history when wielded on an epic scale. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Many of them were repeating outdated rhetoric and didn’t seem to really grasp how the world was changing and how a different kind of leadership was needed to respond to those changes. The Dial, 18 Mar. 2025 Instead, Grimes has grasped the opportunity to play extended minutes with both hands. Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasp
Noun
  • There is also the underlying issue of whether a crypto investor uses a third party for custody at all, or maintains total custody and trading control over their holdings.
    Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The resolution is capped, and the controls seem slow and laggy by modern standards.
    Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Now, companies are betting that machines can tackle a wider range of tasks by mimicking the ways that people walk, bend, twist, reach, grip and generally get things done.
    Cade Metz, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Speaking of the ocean, this formula blends deep sea plant extracts with rice bran for antioxidant properties, with polymers and mineral powders for grip and makeup’s overall staying power.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Despite the entrenched ethical norms of the legal profession, educational institutions at every level should devise strategies designed to improve the public’s understanding of government and its critical intersection with the rule of law.
    Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Critically, lenders give buyers a big-picture understanding of what their monthly payment will look like under various loan configurations, taking into account sales price tiers, interest rates, property taxes and insurance.
    TC Brown, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • IndieWire understands the festival was waiting to confirm Denzel Washington’s attendance, and indeed the star will be at Cannes.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • And like Bell, my bandmates and I understood why other artists were continuing to cancel their performances.
    Ryan Miller, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • My friend hugged me quickly and ran off consumed with hosting duties.
    Time, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Durango sits tucked into a valley of the San Juan Mountains, hugging the long and strong Animas River.
    Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The group allegedly operated within the Northeast, targeting luxury vehicles – specifically high-end SUVs – by holding victims at gunpoint or bumping the vehicles on a highway, forcing owners to exit their cars.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Does playing Coachella hold any special significance for you?
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Here’s what to know about Booker’s marathon protest.
    Nik Popli, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
  • This was a problem for Sexton, best known for his roles in Bosch, The Killing and Deadwood who was offered a $595,000 deal for the role of Johnson.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At a fan convention in Los Angeles in 2017, North expressed his appreciation for fans of Dennis the Menace.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Taking into account dividends and investment appreciation over time, Forbes estimates Prenosil has at least $280 million in wealth outside her Dick’s stock.
    Jemima McEvoy, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasp. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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